A SEASON is a long time in netball, and it is fair to say that a large chunk of the London Pulse starting seven might be unrecognisable. Similarly, finding the right seven and sticking with it looms as the first challenge of the 2022 Pulse side. They have been able to recruit former Australian Diamonds coach Lisa Alexander to the team, who may well be the best recruit of the lot. Though they have brought in as many as five fresh faces, whilst five others have left, in what was a busy off-season for the Pulse.

The big departure for the Pulse was that of South African shooter Sigrid Burger, who heads off to the Rhinos. Her towering presence under the post was a reliable force for the Pulse, whilst Lefébre Rademan (Celtic Dragons) – Burger’s goal circle partner – and Emma Thacker (Loughborough Lightning) also depart. Adean Thomas and Monique Thompson round out the five players out the door post-season, but there are plenty of reasons to be excited.

From a Vitality Netball Superleague (VNSL) perspective, the Pulse picked up Jasmin Odeogberin from the Lightning who should provide some defensive support, whilst Berri Neil is one to watch up the other end. Having to sit behind international stars Joyce Mvula and Eleanor Cardwell at Manchester Thunder, Neil is one who could fill the void of Burger, or at least have more court time in the pink. Alicia Scholes joined Neil as a transfer from the Thunder, but the two big recruits came all the way from Down Under.

Ex-Melbourne Vixens Sacha McDonald and Tayla Honey did not get as much court time as they could have given the strength of the Vixens over time, but now both have headed to England to likely become key players for the Pulse. McDonald will be able to play in the front third of the court – likely in either wing attack or goal attack – whilst Honey will be the one who adds the extra dimension through her feeding and speed to recover loose balls. Olivia Tchine is now likely to be the beneficiary of that pairing, more than likely able to earn the start at goal shooter, tag teaming with Neil.

One of the harder squads to try and calculate a starting even from given the changes, the Pulse have a versatile team, one where every player can play multiple positions. In the defensive circle Halimat Adio and Lindsay Keable are joined by Odeogberin, Zara Everitt and Funmi Fadoju. Ashleigh Dekker will now have plenty of support in the midcourt, whilst Kira Rothwell and Ellie Rattu are among the other talented rising stars in the competition.

POTENTIAL STARTING SEVEN:

GK: Lindsay Keable
GD: Funmi Fadoju
WD: Zara Everitt
C: Ashleigh Dekker
WA: Tayla Honey
GA: Sacha McDonald
GS: Olivia Tsine

The plan no doubt will be for Odeogberin to rotate with Keable and Fadoju in the defensive circle, as Odeogbegrin eventually takes over from Keable to form a long-term partnership with Fadoju. Aside from the defensive goal circle, the question is whether or not Dekker starts centre, or whether or not they move Honey there, with McDonald at wing attack and Rothwell in at goal attack. It might come down to the opposition, with both Rothwell and Dekker great talents, and just clearly down to a preference on the day. Either way, versatility is key for the Pulse.